Need advice on air impact gun. Can I operate impact with 2.4SFCM?

I have a 4 gallon 1 horse power twin tank (double stacked,2 gallons a piece) craftsman air compressor. It says it can produce 2.4 SFCM@90PSI. I was wondering if I would be wasting my money if I bought a impact gun to run off this compressor. Is my compressor to weak?

You'd be standing around waiting alot, but it will run it. It'll be kicking on and off alot though.

I wouldn't bother--A lot of less expensive guns need about 4-5scfm@90. Your's might be able to do it, but I think the compressor would be running all the time trying to keep up. Bigger tank would give you better results.

Maybee I will just buy the el-chepo HF or 20 dollar Walmart-Brand. Just trying to speed a few things up.

save up for a better compressor. i learned the hard way. my IR gun will run at about 6cfm and 25cfm under extreme loads when in reverse and doing ~700#s. my 10gallon husky tank wasnt cutting it. id run the gun for a couple seconds then i would need to wait for it to refill. it got old real fast haha.

my 2cents

If thats the case, buy an electric. No waiting, unless it waiting for the bolt to come loose :sunshine:

NfSALD said:

If thats the case, buy an electric. No waiting, unless it waiting for the bolt to come loose :sunshine:

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electric impact guns can get pricey. but they are quite useful when a tank isnt avaliable.

wow, so even a 10 gallon would be insufficient?

It depends if you plan on constant use or not. It's a pain to wait for the pressure to build back up.
I use my air ratchet much more than I do my air impact. Snug it down, then break out the old torque wrench to finish tightening.
For non critical jobs, I have an antique Black and Decker electric impact with torque settings, at 10 pound (five pound actually) increments.
My criteria for buying a compressor is one that will start and run at 15 amps, 220 volt and I can (just) lift into the back of my truck. I tend towards, a larger compressors and slightly small tanks.
It's hard to get a compressor with enough watts, that can be used in a common outlet, that produces enough air to do everything (much of anything). Available fuses and the power supply is relevant.
I have two gasoline motor, powered compressors. The five horse will power anything I've ever wanted to do, the three horse I can lift myself.

screw it. I went out and bought a 26 gallon craftsman compressor, seems to run everything fine